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A poem about the contrast between a free bird and a caged bird, and their different ways of singing. The caged bird sings of freedom, while the free bird thinks of other things and names the sky his own.
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Read the full text of the famous poem by Maya Angelou, which explores the themes of freedom, oppression and identity. The poem compares a free bird and a caged bird, and their different ways of singing and expressing themselves.
Learn about the themes, symbols, and poetic devices of Maya Angelou's poem "Caged Bird", which compares the freedom and oppression of two birds. The poem explores the experience of being a Black person in America and the power of music and resilience.
I know why the caged bird sings by Maya Angelou. A free bird leaps on the back. Of the wind and floats downstream. Till the current ends and dips his wing. In the orange suns rays. And dares to claim the sky. But a BIRD that stalks down his narrow cage. Can seldom see through his bars of rage. His wings are clipped and his feet are tied.
- In Short
- I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings: Explanation
- Caged Bird: Commentary
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Maya Angelou creates contrasting images of how a free bird and a caged bird live their lives.The free bird enjoys the open sky and floats on the back of the wind while the caged bird’s wings are clipped and feet are tied.The caged bird’s future looks bleak. Still he sings in a fearful voice and he sings of freedom.Angelou, with the metaphor of birds, represents the inequality of justice seen in the society of her time which differentiates between the African-American community and its White American counterp...Stanza 1
The opening lines show a bird leaping ‘on the back of the wind’ demonstrating the freedom it experience to move about and glide freely through the air. It hovers over a stream of wind and floats downwards to where the current of the stream ends and the wind is calm. It dips its wing in the sea of orange sunlight. The bird is shown in a state of great tranquility. It has the freedom to move about wherever it desires. It is so utterly free and without restraints that it ‘dares to claim the sky’...
Stanza 2
Here, poet Maya Angelou contrasts the situation by presenting the image of a caged bird. The caged bird tries to go after his cage in vain. The cage is narrow and its metaphorical bars are of rage. The caged bird is seen to be angry with its situation. It desires with all its heart to escape its plight. But the caged bird cannot see beyond his cage. Its wings are clipped, that is, its freedom is taken away. Wings are associated with flight, which in turn is associated with freedom. The words...
Stanza 3
The caged bird has a wavering voice. He is singing of freedom, something he does not have. The idea of freedom is his dream, one he cannot achieve. So, he sings about it. There is fear in his voice. He had never known what freedom tastes like, but hopes to have it for his own. His voice can be heard from distant places, on hills where it inspires others to dream of freedom. The caged bird doesn’t sing of sadness, but of hope, inspiration and of freedom.
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” is a free verse written by the American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou. Maya Angelou is widely regarded as the “Black Woman’s Poet Laureate.” Her reflections on the society and the times she lived in are vividly expressed in her poetry. Outwardly the poem “I know why the caged bird sings” or “Caged Bir...
Learn the meaning and interpretation of Maya Angelou's poem "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings", which compares the freedom and captivity of birds and humans. See the stanza-by-stanza explanation and commentary of the poem's themes and symbols.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a 1969 autobiography describing the young and early years of American writer and poet Maya Angelou. The first in a seven-volume series, it is a coming-of-age story that illustrates how strength of character and a love of literature can help overcome racism and trauma .
Maya Angelou. Jan. 1, 1983 1 viewer 6.6K views. 13 Contributors. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - [Social Revolution - Abolitionists USH] Lyrics. [Verse 1] A free bird leaps. on the back...
